Larry,
Thanks for the interest. It is great to hear from a sales manager that is interested in my opinion for a change.
I live in a farming community and there are dealers of all colors to pick from. I regularly see advertising of all kinds on many different venues. When I was researching my NH purchase I visited all the dealers in my area, and ended up with a dealer in the next state. Why? Because his web site showed me the tractor I was looking for and the price that seemed reasonable. Dealership was great to work with, both with email first (quickly and accurately answered with information, and requested pictures) and again ounce I made the decision to do a hands on at their site. (simple explanation of tractor, and quick question & answer session, then left me alone to do test drive of tractor with follow up question & answering after). Couldn’t ask for more.
Nothing kills interest quicker than not receiving timely answer to email inquiry. If you don’t have the time to answer email, I don’t have time to begging.
What catches my eye? Good question. I should say that it depends on what I am looking for at the moment. And don’t forget I am always looking. I know where all my dealers are. I know what tractor brands they carry, and I have a good idea of what to expect from each dealer as far as attitude towards customer. But what I don’t always know is what implement brands they carry or what they have in stock, both new and used.
What will turn my head is any up front display of equipment as I drive by. Not only new equipment but used. Show me the goodies. All of us tractor people LOOK as we drive by!
Just dreaming of a way to use what you have on display.
This goes for web sites also. With the advent of the internet we have discovered a new way of shopping. With out a website, YOU LOOSE. Forum’s like TBN are a huge help to both new and returning buyers in learning and understanding what is available for there particular needs. Since we have read all about what we are considering we naturally turn to the web to seek more information on the products and dealers of our choosing.
That is where your web site begins. We want to know who you are, where you are, what you can offer us, and what else you are willing to do for us. Now if you’re not in my area, (my driving range is about a day drive round trip, and I can usually easily handle a pickup truck load) then we want to know how you can get it to us.
Usually the first thing I look for on a site is a “SEARCH” function. Right away, where I can find it immediately. Don’t want to dig through a long list of items that may or may not be of interest to me. I came to your site to look for something specific. Let me search right to what I am looking for, see a PICTURE of it, and a rough PRICE! Now I am interested. I know whether you can help me, or if I need to keep looking elsewhere.
Checking out your site, I would say that it is better than average. I really like the priced thumbnails. Gets my attention, and lets me know right away if this is a site that might be of some use to me. Like others have said, the Greeting is wordy, and not linkable, just glossed over it, and looked for details. Way too many unlinked pictures in header. Give me something to look at but take me to the details. When browsing to your available equipment, I would like to see pictures. For me it is quicker, but I realize that that for slow internet connection this is a pain. Give me an option. I don’t have time to wade through the descriptions of all the items to determine if there is something I could use.
As far as the best bang for the buck advertising? Your being on this site and asking for opinions will go a long way in getting you word of mouth recognition. It is up to you to take the advice given and run with it. We are always looking for any information from a dealer perspective. I personally wish more dealers would participate in this type of forum. It would be great to have both Niagara Frontier sales, and Niagara Frontier service represented.
I would like to say again thanks for asking. You’re on the right track, just keep tweaking. I agree with jinman, Messicks does a good job if your looking for examples. I think more dealers should be asking these same questions if they expect to be around in the future. I see way to many of the Major manufactures sites that don’t seem to have taken the net into account for their future sales. I think that is a mistake as the market becomes more internet savvy. Now if NH would just ask how their web site could be improved…..
Just my opinion
John
